world. Nay, I dare venture to affirm, that there are few now hearing me, whofe fathers or grandfathers did not at least maintain the form of this duty. For, however much it is defpifed now, it is certain, that it was in reputation about an hundred years ago, and generally practifed by men of all ranks. It deferves, therefore, to be inquired into, when, or by whom, and for what cause, this good old cuftom was laid afide? what was the fhameful period in which the worfhip of God was turned out of doors, to make way for irreligion, and a contempt of divine things? Then, indeed, a most base and difhonourable innovation was made in your families: and therefore it must be your glory to restore things to their ancient ftate, and to give the worthip of God that houfes which it formerly pof

room in

feffed.

your

But if it be really true, that this important duty has been always neglected in your families, believe me it is now high time to introduce it. Your danger is greater than you are aware of. Punifhment lofeth nothing by delay; the flower it advances,

the

the heavier it will prove.

And therefore

you have reafon to fear, that the wrath of God, which has been fo long reftrained, fhall at length break forth with double violence, if it is not prevented by a speedy reformation.

Another excufe, by which fome defend their neglect of this duty, is their inability to perform it well. They cannot pray to God in public in fo decent a manner as they would incline. In anfwer to this, I need only observe, that, next to the divine bleffing, nothing contributes more to teach men to pray, than frequent practice and ufe. So that, if So that, if upon this account you neglect the duty, your inability can pass for nothing else than a feigned pretence to cover your unwillingnefs: for, were you as willing to learn to pray, as to acquire the knowledge of any art, you would foon, by diligent endeavours, attain a competent measure of this excellent gift. Befides, if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath: it is the fincerity of your defires which God. regards, and not the expreffions with which

1

you clothe them: and if you fet about this duty in good earnest, and in the best manner you can, though perhaps you may come fhort of what you wifh, God will both accept and affift you in your humble and well meant attempts to honour him.

Upon the whole, then, may I not hope that you will hearken to what I have faid? God is now offering himself to be your gueft; and is, by us, demanding an entrance into your hearts, and into your houses; and can you refolve on refufing him? Shall the great King of heaven thus ftand at your doors, and knock, and yet meet with a repulfe? If the authority of God has any weight with you; if your reafon can prevail with you; if your own immortal fouls, or the fouls of those who dwell with you appear worthy of your regard: in a word, if duty, gratitude, or interest, can move you, all these confpire to enforce my exhortation, and to plead the caufe of family-worship. And must these powerful advocates plead in vain? must they turn evidences against you, and appear at last in judgement to condemn you? God forbid. I defire to hope better

things of you, and things that accompany falvation, though I thus fpeak.

May the Spirit of all grace feal thefe instructions, and powerfully determine you to the practice of this duty, that by the exercife of focial worship here below, you may be gradually prepared for the more exalted worship of the triumphant fociety above, who all with one heart, and one voice, afcribe falvation to him that fitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.

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SERMON XI.

THE

MATTHEW vi. 10. *

-Thy kingdom come.

'HE correfpondence between heaven and earth is preferved and conducted by Chrift alone: "For no man cometh," or can come, to the Father, but by him." (John xiv. 6.) It is he who prefents all our homage to God; it is he who tranfmits to him all our petitions; and by his hands all mercy and grace are conveyed to us. Our most fervent prayers, the devoutest breathings of our fouls, muft not only be purged from that defilement which cleaves to them, but even in their greatest purity, they must be offered up in his cenfer, in order to their acceptance, and can only afcend by the incenfe of his facrifice.

It

Preached before the Society in Scotland for propaga

ting Chriftian Knowledge, January 4. 1748.